Public Health Commons^™

Healthy Living Needs Global Governance, Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

It may seem counter-intuitive, but the same factors that drive the spread of infectious diseases also contribute to the dominance of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the global burden of disease—urbanization, global markets and harmonized cultures. NCDs have overtaken infectious diseases as the leading cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide, with deaths concentrated among the poor due to the growing availability and affordability of highly-processed, unhealthy foods, alcohol and tobacco.

The global response to NCDs has been slow and fractured, with the World Health Organization dedicating scant funding and the United Nations waiting until September 2011 to hold a high-level …

Development Of An Efficient Human Hepatocyte Culture Platform For Assessing Novel Therapeutic Efficacy Against Plasmodium Liver Parasites, Steven Patrick Maher

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Malaria is a critical and global public health problem, affecting over 200 million people every year, resulting in over 500,000 deaths. A vaccine is not currently available and only one drug, primaquine, is effective against the dormant stages of Plasmodium vivax. Preclinical assessment of novel therapeutic drugs and vaccines is hampered by the lack of an in vitro liver model for P. falciparum and P. vivax. To provide a stable human hepatocyte-based culture platform for parasite development, we engineered a microfluidic bilayer device capable of both simple and complex culture methods, including perfusion and co-culture, to better understand the requirements …

To Vaccinate Or Not Vaccinate, Brian Knoske, Samantha Morrison, Rodney Richmond

Faculty Research ​and Publications

No abstract provided.

Increasing Maternal Or Post-Weaning Folic Acid Alters Gene Expression And Moderately Changes Behavior In The Offspring, Subit Barua, Kathryn K. Chadman, Salomon Kuizon, Diego Buenaventura, Nathan W. Stapley, Felicia Ruocco, Umme Begum, Sara R. Guariglia, W. Ted Brown, Mohamad Junaid

Publications and Research

Background: Studies have indicated that altered maternal micronutrients and vitamins influence the development of newborns and altered nutrient exposure throughout the lifetime may have potential health effects and increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. In recent years, folic acid (FA) exposure has significantly increased as a result of mandatory FA fortification and supplementation during pregnancy. Since FA modulates DNA methylation and affects gene expression, we investigated whether the amount of FA ingested during gestation alters gene expression in the newborn cerebral hemisphere, and if the increased exposure to FA during gestation and throughout the lifetime alters behavior in C57BL/6J mice.

Methods …

Archaea Des Bioaérosols De Fermes Laitières, Des Poulaillers Et Des Usines D’Épuration Des Eaux Usées : Leur Rôle Dans L’Inflammation Pulmonaire, Pascale Blais Lecours, Marc Veillette, David Marsolais, Yvon Cormier, Shelley Kirychuk, Caroline Duchaine

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les bioaérosols, c’est-à-dire des aérosols composés de particules solides ou liquides de 0,002 µm à 100 µm transportant des microorganismes vivants ou des molécules dérivées d’organismes vivants, se trouvent en fortes concentrations dans plusieurs milieux de travail. Beaucoup de maladies respiratoires professionnelles y sont associées, mais leur étiologie n’est souvent pas connue. La composition exacte des bioaérosols responsables de ces maladies respiratoires doit être clairement définie afin de bien comprendre ce à quoi sont exposés les travailleurs.

Nous avions récemment documenté des microorganismes insoupçonnés dans l’air des porcheries, les archaea. Dans la présente étude, afin de définir l’exposition des travailleurs …

Risques Associés Aux Préparations Bactériennes Et Enzymatiques Pour Le Dégraissage Et Le Nettoyage, Denis Bégin, Michel Gérin, Jacques Lavoie

Rapports de recherche scientifique

En remplacement des dégraissants et nettoyants traditionnels, qu’ils soient à base de solvants ou de tensioactifs, on retrouve actuellement sur le marché des préparations à base de bactéries et d’enzymes pour le nettoyage de surfaces en milieux industriel et institutionnel. Des préparations enzymatiques sont également utilisées en milieu de soins pour le nettoyage d’instruments chirurgicaux et diagnostiques. Mises à part les fiches de données de sécurité et les fiches techniques fournies par les fabricants, les hygiénistes et les médecins du travail et de l’environnement, ainsi que les autres spécialistes du domaine de la santé et de la sécurité du travail …

Weekly And Holiday-Related Patterns Of Panic Attacks In Panic Disorder: A Population-Based Study, Li-Ting Kao, Sudha Xirasagar, Kuo-Hsuan Chung, Herng-Ching Lin, Shih-Ping Liu, Shiu-Dong Chung

Faculty Publications

Background: While chronobiological studies have reported seasonal variation in panic attacks (PA) episodes, information on the timing of PA by week-days may enable better understanding of the triggers of PA episodes and thereby provide pointers for suitable interventional approaches to minimize PA attacks. This study investigated weekly variation in potential PA admissions including associations with holidays using a population-based longitudinal, administrative claims-based dataset in an Asian population.

Methods: This study used ambulatory care data from the ‘‘Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000. We identified 993 patients with panic disorder (PD), and they had 4228 emergency room (ER) admissions for potential PA …

Association Between Class Iii Obesity (Bmi Of 40-59 Kg/M2) And Mortality: A Pooled Analysis Of 20 Prospective Studies, Cari M. Kitahara, Alan J. Flint, Amy Berrington De Gonzalez, Leslie Bernstein, Michelle Brotzman, Kim Robien, +30 Additional Authors

Epidemiology Faculty Publications

Background

The prevalence of class III obesity (body mass index [BMI]≥40 kg/m2) has increased dramatically in several countries and currently affects 6% of adults in the US, with uncertain impact on the risks of illness and death. Using data from a large pooled study, we evaluated the risk of death, overall and due to a wide range of causes, and years of life expectancy lost associated with class III obesity.

Methods and Findings

In a pooled analysis of 20 prospective studies from the United States, Sweden, and Australia, we estimated sex- and age-adjusted total and cause-specific mortality rates (deaths per …

Implications Of The 2014 Quality Family Planning Services Guidelines Issued By The Cdc And The Office Of Population Affairs, Sara J. Rosenbaum, Susan Wood, Merle Cunningham, Tishra Beeson, Peter Shin

Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative

Phosphorus Supplement Alters Postprandial Lipemia Of Healthy Male Subjects: A Pilot Cross-Over Trial, Jana Hazim, Sani Hlais, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Dareen Shatila, Maya Bassil, Omar Obeid

Faculty Publications

Background:

Epidemiological studies have found a U-shaped relationship between serum phosphorus and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The mechanism(s) behind such a relationship are poorly understood. Phosphorus (P) is reported to improve insulin sensitivity, which is involved in lipid metabolism, and thus we were interested in determining the impact of phosphorus ingestion on postprandial lipemia, a recognized CVD risk factor.

Findings.

A within-subject study design was conducted, whereby 8 healthy male subjects received a high fat meal (330Kcal; 69% energy from fat; 35 mg of phosphorus) with placebo or phosphorus (500 mg) in a random order. Postprandial blood samples (∼10 ml) were …

Effects Of Workplace Incivility On Nurses' Emotions, Well-Being, And Behaviors: A Longitudinal Study, Zhiqing Zhou

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation used an experience sampling design to examine effects of experienced workplace incivility from three categories of organizational insiders (coworkers, supervisors, and physicians) and from organizational outsiders (patients and their visitors) on targets' emotions, burnout, physical symptoms, and their own uncivil behaviors toward each of the four groups of people. Data were collected from 75 nurses with each nurse responding to online surveys twice per week for 5 consecutive weeks. Results from hierarchical linear modeling showed that within individuals, negative emotions were positively associated with experienced workplace incivility (overall and source-specific), burnout was positively associated with overall workplace incivility …

Evaluation Of An Emergency Department Lean Process Improvement Program To Reduce Length Of Stay, Marian J. Vermeulen, Therese A. Stukel, Astrid Guttmann, Brian H. Rowe

Dartmouth Scholarship

In recent years, lean principles have been applied to improve wait times in the emergency department (ED). In 2009, an ED process improvement program based on lean methods was introduced in Ontario as part of a broad strategy to reduce ED length of stay and improve patient flow. This study seeks to determine the effect of this program on ED wait times and quality of care. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all ED visits at program and control sites during 3 program waves from April 1, 2007, to June 30, 2011, in Ontario, Canada. Time series analyses of …

College Of Public Health News, Georgia Southern University

College of Public Health: News & Publications

• Karl Peace commended by the Virginia General Assembly
• Dr. Luque Elected to SMA Board

Creating Health From Below? Exposing And Resisting The Power Of Media Culture Over Public Health, Woods Nash

Catalyst: A Social Justice Forum

A few days ago, my three-year-old daughter happened to glimpse a picture of a glowing young woman in blue gown and long white gloves. It was Cinderella, all dressed up for the ball. And though my daughter didn’t know the woman’s name—has never read the story or seen the Disney movie—she pointed and pleaded, “Can I dress up like her?” What silliness, I thought, as we left home for the playground. But not before I grabbed my mesh back hat, making sure its bill was still bent just as retired tennis star Andy Roddick would don it.

Do we …

Will Hiv Vaccination Reshape Hiv Risk Behavior Networks? A Social Network Analysis Of Drug Users' Anticipated Risk Compensation, April M. Young, Daniel S. Halgin, Ralph J. Diclemente, Claire E. Sterk, Jennifer R. Havens

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Background

An HIV vaccine could substantially impact the epidemic. However, risk compensation (RC), or post-vaccination increase in risk behavior, could present a major challenge. The methodology used in previous studies of risk compensation has been almost exclusively individual-level in focus, and has not explored how increased risk behavior could affect the connectivity of risk networks. This study examined the impact of anticipated HIV vaccine-related RC on the structure of high-risk drug users' sexual and injection risk network.

Methods

A sample of 433 rural drug users in the US provided data on their risk relationships (i.e., those involving recent unprotected sex …

Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviors Associated With Risk Of Progression From Gestational Diabetes Mellitus To Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Cohort Study, Wei Bao, Deirdre K. Tobias, Katherine Bowers, Jorge Chavarro, Allan Vaag, Louise Groth Grunnet, Marin Strom, James Mills, Aiyi Liu, Michele Kiely, Cuilin Zhang

Publications and Research

Importance: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at substantially increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The identification of important modifiable factors could help prevent T2DM in this high-risk population.

Objective: To examine the role of physical activity and television watching and other sedentary behaviors, and changes in these behaviors in the progression from GDM to T2DM.

Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective cohort study of 4554 women from the Nurses' Health Study II who had a history of GDM, as part of the ongoing Diabetes & Women's Health Study. These women were followed up from …

How To Plan A Birthday Party: An Allopathy Enthusiast's Guide To Integrating The Values Of Traditional Medicine Into Childbirth, Emily Baumgaertner

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Unbiased literature regarding the strengths of traditional birth attendants is lacking. While many international organizations have published data regarding the improving success rates of allopathic interventions, there has been no acknowledgement or discussion of the qualities that keep traditional birth attendants in practice. This study has aimed to identify the distinct values of traditional medicine that contrast most allopathic healthcare practices. Through informal interviews with three traditional birth attendants and one allopathic provider in the rural region of Andasibe, Madagascar, the researcher unearthed some of the key differences between these practices' patient care before, during, and after childbirth. Results suggest …

Comparative Analysis Of Family Planning Use And Attitudes In Urban Versus Rural Madagascar, Gwendolyn Cummings

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Despite many differences between urban and rural areas of Madagascar, large families are staples in Malagasy culture throughout. However, family planning has recently become one of the most in-demand aspects of healthcare in the country. The discrepancies between rural and urban zones are apparent in this new wave of contraceptive use and child spacing. Interviews in both Andasibe (a rural region of Madagascar) and Antananarivo (the urban capital of the country) were combined with a review of current literature on the subject, in order to distinguish the differences between the two. Ultimately it was found that socioeconomic background and preference …

Individualized Health Care: The Utilization Of Individual Design In Traditional Medicine In Madagascar, Simone R. Jacobs

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This project explores the application of individual design to the treatment of patients within the traditional medical system in Madagascar. I hypothesize that traditional medicine has remained prevalent in Madagascar alongside the allopathic system because of its predisposition to human centered, or individual design. Individual design is an increasingly popular approach to designing new technology with the total consumer experience in mind. Instead of focusing solely on functionality, this approach attempts to also address how the consumer experiences a technology physically, emotionally, and socially. When applied to health care, individual design addresses all aspects of how individuals experience illness and …

Don’T Diss The Reninjaza: A Case For Integrating Traditional Birthing Attendants Into The Allopathic System To Improve Prenatal Health In Rural Madagascar, Shenna Bannish

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This project seeks to prove the practicality of using Reninjazas (traditional birthing attendants) in rural Madagascar to better prenatal care and diminish the maternal and infant mortality rates in this country. Prenatal care is of vital importance to expecting mothers. Without it, birth defects, complicated labor and delivery, miscommunications concerning fetal development, and even death can occur (Mayo Clinic, 2014). There is no doubt that the lack of adequate prenatal care in Madagascar contributes to its unfortunately high maternal and infant death statistics. While listed as “moderate” in terms of severity, the maternal and infant mortality rates in Madagascar are …

Epidemiology Of Coccidioidomycosis In Missouri, Ravi Kumar Aggu Sher

Open Access Theses

Introduction. Incidence of Coccidioidomycosis has been increasing nationally, from 2,271 cases in 1998 to 17,802 cases in 2012. Missouri is not endemic to Coccidioidomycosis but the incidence has been increasing since becoming reportable in 2003. To describe epidemiology of Coccidioidomycosis in Missouri we conducted a retrospective review of surveillance data at Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) for the years, 2004-2013.

Methods. Data was obtained from Missouri Health Surveillance Information System (WebSurv), the statewide reporting system for notifiable diseases. All cases that were "Confirmed" were included in the study.

Results. There were a total of 93 confirmed cases …

Chhs July 2014 E-Newsletter, Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean, Vashon S. Wells, Editor, Wku College Of Health & Human Services

College of Health & Human Services Publications

No abstract provided.

Improving The Childbirth Experience: Complementarity, Communication And Education, Nyasia M. White

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The purpose of this paper is to discuss and address the issues dealing with maternal health in America and see how practices of traditional medicine could help improve childbirth and concerns of mothers-to-be. Maternal death in America is increasing and some reports have suggested that women are growing fearful of giving birth in hospitals. By looking at methods used by traditional birth attendants and interviewing the traditional doctors themselves, suggestions could be made to decrease costs and the maternal mortality rate as well as better inform mothers about their health and the options available to individualize their childbirth experience. Complementary …

Peer Support In Managing Psychiatric Symptoms Of Rural Adults With Mobility And Sensory Impairments, Craig Ravesloot Ph.D., University Of Montana Rural Institute

Health and Wellness

Little is known about the mental health of people with disabilities who live in rural America or the potential benefit of providing peer support services for these individuals. Stress diathesis models of psychiatric disorders suggest the challenges of living with a disability in rural areas may predispose individuals to higher rates of psychiatric disorders (Monroe & Simons, 1991). In addition, rural mental health service providers struggle to meet the needs of rural individuals with primary psychiatric diagnoses, and they may not be trained to assist people with disabilities who have secondary mental health conditions (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, …

Unmet Need For Contraception And Unintended Pregnancies Among Women Of Reproductive Age Group: A Situation Analysis, Sumera Aziz Ali, Savera Aziz Ali

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Each year approximately 210 million pregnancies occur worldwide and more than one-third (75 to 80 million) of these are unintended, more than half of these (46 million) unintended pregnancies undergo unsafe abortions. In Pakistan 16% of the births are reported to be unwanted and if the unwanted fertility is eliminated, total fertility in Pakistan would be 3.1 births per woman. Total demand for family planning in Pakistan is 55%, while the contraceptive prevalence rate is 35% and unmet need for family planning is 20%. Reasons for unmet need and unintended pregnancy include lack of permission, fear of side effects, poor …

The Transformative Power Of Narrative As A Behavioral Change Communication Tool To Reduce Health Disparities In Cervical Cancer Among Latinas: Global Implications, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Joyee S. Chatterjee, Lauren B. Frank, Sheila T. Murphy, Meghan B. Moran, Lisa N. Werth, Nan Zhao, Paula Amezola De Herrera, Don Mayer, Jeremy Kagan, Dave O'Brien

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cervical cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women globally. Latinas carry a disproportionate burden of this disease. In the United States, when compared with non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), Latinas endure much higher incidence rates (13.86 vs. 7.70 per 100,000) with mortality rates 1.5 times greater than for non-Hispanic white women . In order to address this disparity, a multidisciplinary team engaged in a transformative study to test if narrative, developed in culturally specific ways as a behavioral change communication tool, works better than non-narrative in increasing knowledge and changing attitudes and behaviors and, if so, why. This …

State-Level Analysis Of Variation In Infant Mortality Rate: A Socio-Ecological Approach, Nicole M. Sobiech

Open Access Theses

Background: Infant mortality has been used as a predictor of population health, and was higher in the United States compared to other developed countries. The rate of infant mortality varies greatly at the State level, with infants born in southern States having an increase risk. ^ Methods: This paper investigates influential variables in all five dimensions of the socio-ecological model on State infant mortality in the U.S. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine the amount of variance that could be explained between and at the State level. ^ Results: The socio-ecological model explained 73% variation of State infant mortality …

Efficacy Of Cleaning Method For Removal Of Exogenous Welding Fume Contamination From Nail Tissue Prior To Use As A Biomarker For Welding Fume Manganese Exposure, Jeffrey Corral Bainter

Open Access Theses

Nail tissue has been proposed as a biomarker for body burden of occupational exposure to manganese from welding fumes. Though recent studies have shown correlation between manganese exposure and both nail tissue concentration as well as concentrations in dopaminergic regions of the brain, concerns of the validity of nail tissue as a biomarker have arisen due to the potential for exogenous contamination of Mn to undermine the quantization of endogenous Mn in nail. Previous studies have used a cleaning method of 1% Triton X-100 surfactant plus sonication in order to attempt to remove exogenous welding fume contamination. Determination of the …

When Harvard Said No To Eugenics: The J. Ewing Mears Bequest, 1927, Paul A. Lombardo

Faculty Publications By Year

James Ewing Mears (1838-1919) was a founding member of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery. His 1910 book, The Problem of Race Betterment, laid the groundwork for later authors to explore the uses of surgical sterilization as a eugenic measure. Mears left $60,000 in his will to Harvard University to support the teaching of eugenics. Although numerous eugenic activists were on the Harvard faculty, and who of its Presidents were also associated with the eugenics movement, Harvard refused the Mears gift. The bequest was eventually awarded to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. This article explains why Harvard turned its back …

Partnerships For Health - Jeff Health And The Rwanda Village Concept Project – A Model Of Interdisciplinary Health Professions Student Global Education, James D. Plumb, Md, Mph, Ellen J. Plumb, Md, Komal Soin, Md-Cugh 2014, Edmond Bagazini, Md, Mph, Remy Muhire Manzi, Md, Mph, Jean Christoph Rusatira, Md

College of Population Health Lectures, Presentations, Workshops

Background

The Rwanda Health and Healing Project (RHHP)

• Started in 2006: Barefoot Artists and TJU Department of Family and Community Medicine

– Global health immersion experience

– Interdisciplinary

– Focus: team-based, sustainable public health programming,

economic development, community empowerment

• Public-Health Programming: Akarambi, Rugerero

– Hygiene and Sanitation

– Childhood Nutrition

– Helminth Prevention

– HIV Education

– Income Generation: chicken coop, rabbit rearing, mushroom farming, bee keeping, pig farming